MUSA Collection. Cancun, depth 4m

Working with Ms. Heather Spence, marine biologist, Dr. Patricia Gray, Director of the BioMusic International Research at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and Colegio Ecab A.C, The Listener portrays a lone figure that is assembled entirely from casts of human ears molded during a workshop of local Cancun students aged 8-12. The sculpture located within the National Marine Park of Cancun is fitted with a revolutionary NOAA-designed hydrophone, which is continually recording sounds from the reef environment and storing the data to an internal water resistant hard drive.

Although the marine environment is often referred to as the silent world it is actually reverberating with a myriad of noises from, crustaceans clicking, fish feeding, waves breaking to boats passing overhead. Sound also travels approximately four times faster in water than in air. This bioacoustic research method of non-invasive Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) will monitor some of complex sound activities taking place underwater and will advance our understanding of acoustic relationships while informing the science of conservation management.

The form symbolizes a passive relationship between humans and nature whilst aiming to engage local students in reef conservation and draw focus to the much-needed ability to listen.

Sponsoring Partnering Organizations: University of North Carolina-Greensboro, CONAMP.
Collaborating Partners: University of Hawaii, Universidad del Caribe, Proyecto Domino.

See the Cancun Community College students >